Wave properties quiz

Which description of a wave is the best?

• A wave is a transfer of matter.

• A wave is a transfer of energy, without a transfer of matter.

• A wave is a transfer of energy and matter.

• A wave is a transfer of energy.

Which best describes a longitudinal wave?

• The oscillations of particles are perpendicular to the propagation of the wave.

• The oscillations have an amplitude of zero.

• The oscillations of particles are parallel to the propagation of the wave.

• The oscillations of particles are at 45-degrees to the propagation of the wave.

Longitudinal waves can travel through a vacuum.

• TRUE

• FALSE

The time period, T, is defined as ...

• .. the time for one complete crest only.

• the time for one complete trough only.

• ...the time for two complete waves.

• .. the time from one identical point on a wave to the next identical point on the same wave.

The amplitude is defined as ... [choose carefully!]

• The maximum height from the bottom of a trough to the top of a peak divided by 2.

• The wavelength divided by 2.

• The distance from y to x.

• The maximum height from the bottom of a trough to the top of a peak.

How are time period, T and frequency, f related

• T = f/1

• T = f x 1

• T = f +1

• T = 1/f

  [and f = 1/T] !

Frequency is...

• .. the number of waves per second and measured in metres.

• the number of waves per second and measured in Volts...

• .. the number of waves per second and measured in hertz, Hz.

• .. the number of waves per minute and measured in hertz, Hz.

Some waves do not need particles and can travel through a vacuum.

• FALSE

• TRUE

Sound waves travel faster in solids than in gases (e.g. air)

• TRUE

• FALSE

The musical note middle-C has a frequency of 262 Hz. Sound travels at 341 m/s in air. Calculate the wavelength of a middle-C note, to the right number of significant figures.. [90 seconds to answer!]

• 89100 m

• 1.3 m

• 0.771 m

• 1.30 m